The role of substrate preparation in the symbiosis between the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) and its food fungus

AbstractIngestion of radiolabelled plant juices from cut surfaces of leaves during foraging and during substrate preparation for the fungus garden was demonstrated for laboratory colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Atta cephalotes (L.) and Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich). Using P32 isotope, up to one-third of the radioactivity in the leaves was taken in directly by the colony as a whole, but this was much less when C14 was used. Additional plant material was taken in by the ants via the fungus garden. Large numbers of ants spend time in investigating cut surfaces of leaves and also in cutting and crimping leaves. Ingestion of plant material during these processes could play an important nutritional role in the colony and this may explain why many ants return from foraging apparently unladen. Large ants obtained most of their plant juice intake during foraging and the medium and small ants took much of theirs during substrate preparation. Inhibitory chemicals did not affect cutting but they reduced drinking and also reduced the intake of P32 from leaves during substrate preparation. The ants also ingested different amounts of P32 from leaves of different acceptability. It is suggested that leaf-cutting ants use fungus culture as a means of ‘sidestepping’ plant inhibitors. Nutrients are ingested directly from leaves when these are palatable, and the less palatable components are made available to the ants via the fungus.

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A new matrix for toxic baits for control of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300010129 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 607-616 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. R. Jutsum ◽

J. M. Cherrett

Keyword(s):

Slow Release ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

Small Scale ◽

Pest Species ◽

Light Weight ◽

Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽

Aerial Application ◽

Citrus Pulp ◽

Leaf Cutting ◽

Excellent Control

AbstractA new easily-produced cheap compound for use as a bait matrix is described. The light-weight matrix of polyurethane is prepared from dense precursors into which suitable attractants and toxicants can be incorporated for the pest species in question. It has a high bait effectiveness/weight ratio, and so is very suitable for aerial application as large economically viable payloads can be achieved. When tested both in the laboratory and in the field on a small scale against the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), the bait was highly acceptable to the ants. Some formulations, especially those coated with mirex gave excellent control of ants in the field in Trinidad, killing all occupants of nests within four days of baiting. The bait exhibited good weathering properties, was resistant to fungus attack, and allowed the slow release of pheromones. It was much cheaper than the citrus pulp baits normally used in Trinidad.

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Within-colony transmission and the cost of a mutualistic bacterium in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex octospinosus

Functional Ecology ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2435.2003.00726.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 260-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

M. Poulsen ◽

A. N. M. Bot ◽

C. R. Currie ◽

M. G. Nielsen ◽

J. J. Boomsma

Keyword(s):

Acromyrmex Octospinosus ◽

Leaf Cutting ◽

The Cost

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Studies on the role of the infrabuccal pocket of the leaf-cutting antAcromyrmex octospinosus (Reich) (Hym., Formicidae)

Insectes Sociaux ◽

10.1007/bf02224744 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 237-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

R. J. Quinlan ◽

J. M. Cherrett

Keyword(s):

Leaf Cutting

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RECENT BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE OXFORD SCANNING PROTON MICROPROBE

International Journal of PIXE ◽

10.1142/s0129083599000309 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 09 (03n04) ◽

pp. 199-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

GEOFFREY W. GRIME ◽

EVA PÅLSGÅRD ◽

ELSPETH F. GARMAN ◽

MARTA UGARTE ◽

DAVID POTTAGE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

Metal Binding ◽

Active Sites ◽

Trace Element Analysis ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Proton Microprobe ◽

Scanning Proton Microprobe ◽

Leaf Cutting

The Oxford Scanning Proton Microprobe continues to be used in the field of trace element measurement in biological systems, exploiting the unique advantages of sensitive, quantitative trace element analysis using PIXE, high spatial resolution and the long penetrating power of MeV protons. This paper outlines a number of recent applications which highlight these advantages. These include: (a) Analysing the distribution of metals in the pupae of leaf-cutting ants to determine the storage sites and transport mechanism of metals used to harden the edges of the mandibles. (b) A study of the distribution of zinc in the retina of rats to determine the role of zinc in light and dark adaptation of the eye. (c) The analysis of crystals of proteins and other large organic molecules prepared for structure determination using x-ray diffraction. These often contain metal atoms, and the identity and concentration of the metal is an important diagnostic for determining the nature of the protein and the quality of the crystallisation. The crystals are normally small (~100μm) and so microPIXE is being used to characterise them. This technique has wide ranging applications, including qualitative and quantitative identification of metals in reaction centres, in active sites and in metal binding proteins, and of DNA or RNA bound to proteins.

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